Dark Folklore

The first entertaining, yet rigorously researched, modern anthology to explore a wide range of creepy beliefs, customs and stories.

How did our less enlightened ancestors use the concept of the demon to explain sleep paralysis? If fairies are sweet little creatures with wings and sparkles, why do they steal your children? And just what is a vampire watermelon? The fields of folklore have never been more popular: the recent resurgence of interest in traditional beliefs and customs, coupled with morbid curiosities in folk horror, historic witchcraft cases and our superstitious past have led to an intersection of ideas which is driving people to seek out more information. We are familiar with concepts such as the growth of ‘Dark Tourism’ – legend tripping at sites such as the Paris Catacombs, Salem Massachusetts or even Chernobyl. 'Dark History' addresses those more salubrious aspects of our past. ‘Dark Folklore’ highlights those aspects of our cultural beliefs and social history which are less ‘wicker basket’ and more ‘Wicker Man’.

30 b/w illustrations

About the Authors

Mark Norman is a folklore author and researcher. He is a council member of The Folklore Society and has been on the judging panel for the Katharine Briggs book awards for the last 4 years. He is also the creator and host of The Folklore Podcast.

Tracey Norman is an actor and writer and is part of Circle of Spears Productions, a theatre company and audio production house which specialises in working with indie authors and small publishers. Circle of Spears also performs Tracey's first stage play, the acclaimed historical drama WITCH.